U.S. and international
special operations forces conducted a scenario-based special operations capabilities
demonstration in downtown Tampa, Florida, May 23.
The demonstration
incorporated special operations forces from across the globe highlighting the interoperability
of U.S. and international SOF.
“The capabilities
demonstration really highlights what happens on a persistent basis worldwide,” said
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Roy Espinosa, USSOCOM Joint SOF Development Director. “It is a
snapshot of how SOF is able to integrate together and accomplish a very complex
mission and perform it well.”
The demonstration
included various vehicles, boats and rotary and fixed-wing
aircraft from U.S. SOF which were used throughout the multi-phase event. U.S.
and international SOF units could be seen in and around the downtown area
throughout the demonstration. Commando teams descended from helicopters to take
up positons on the roofs of the Tampa General Hospital and Tampa Convention
Center and fast-roped onto a cruise ship located in Tampa’s inner harbor. Other
special operations ground forces converged on an enemy encampment while teams
infiltrated via water on rigid-hull inflatable boats to rescue hostage
role-players including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
“The
effort put into the exercise is a testament to that high level of capabilities
that are resident in U.S. and partner nation SOF,” Espinosa said. “In a matter
of a few days they were able to integrate, plug-into a scenario and execute it
safely and flawlessly.”
The demonstration is put on
every two years and showcases SOF from different nations coming together to
accomplish a mission as a multinational unit. Partner nation SOF training and
collaboration exercises similar to the international SOF demonstration in Tampa
occur regularly worldwide to prepare international SOF for contingencies. U.S. Special Operations Command averaged
8,300 U.S. SOF deployed to approximately 95 countries last year.
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Multinational special operations forces assault a simulated enemy vessel from air and sea during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces assault a simulated enemy vessel from air and sea during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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A multinational operator takes part in an assault on a mock village during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces ride in an MH-6 helicopter during the demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces rescue a hostage during the demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces assault a mock village from Special Operations Craft – Riverine during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces use a Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction technique to fly away from a ship during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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A multinational special operations forces operator parachutes into Tampa Bay during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
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Multinational special operations forces assault a mock village from Special Operations Craft – Riverine during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Fla., May 23, 2018. (Photo by Michael Bottoms, USSOCOM Communication Office)
